340 Palo Alto
Avenue - c. 1908 (black and white portion) and 2002 (color)
799 Castro
Street - c. 1935 (black and white portion) and 2003 (color)
Introduction:
Why A Historic Preservation Ordinance is Necessary
The two structures pictured above illustrate two interesting
examples of Mountain View's historic architecture. 340 Palo Alto Avenue
is one of the city's most historic residential structures. 799 Castro
Street is part of a collection of historic Mission Style buildings located
in Downtown Mountain View. As the photo composites above illustrate,
they have both changed very little since originally built. Mountain
View is home to dozens of unique historic structures that define the
city's unique character and are physical reminders of its rich history.
Currently some 94 structures are
covered under Mountain View's temporary historic preservation ordinance
adopted in April of 2002. These buildings are currently protected through
a city review process which works to evaluate (or revaluate) their significance
and ensure that they are not needlessly demolished, or altered in a
way that compromises the historic integrity of their exterior appearance.
But that could change without further legislative action. The city is
currently in the process of preparing a permanent historic preservation
ordinance, similar to those in place in cities both elsewhere in California
and nationwide, to protect and enhance our built environment employing
a systematic process. However, some issues have come up which are covered
in the sections below.
Experience and Research Data Recommends Systematic Preservation Process:
Voluntary vs. Non Voluntary
A voluntary ordinance is akin to a voluntary speed limit.
It will have little to no effect on the preservation of threatened historic
structures. This approach is being advocated by a recently formed
group known as the Mountain View Neighborhood Preservation Alliance,
or MVNPA.
Though the MVPA shares a similar emphasis with the MVPNA
in several elements of historic preservation, such as ensuring benefits
for historic property owners include economic incentives for restoring
and maintaining their structures, we differ in our views on implementation.
The Mountain View Preservation Alliance, whose membership and
leadership is drawn from local homeowners, small business owners, and
professionals in the fields of preservation and city planning, acknowledges
the economic value of preservation which research data suggests is best
achieved through an ordinance establishing a systematic and disciplined
process for protecting and enhancing our neighborhoods and community.
The MVPA supports an ordinance based on the same fundamental objectives
as those stated in nearly every city in Santa Clara County, and most
major cities in the country for which a rich body of "best practices"
has been well established.
Historic Preservation Benefits the Community--Both Economically and
Otherwise
Research data from multiple studies clearly indicates the
tangible and measurable value of historic preservation to communities
and their residents. Across geographies, whether old line east
coast cities like New York, Philadelphia and others traditionally thought
of as "historic", to the newer western cities like Dallas,
Los Angeles, and San Francisco with more recent beginnings, preservation
of the built environment is viewed as a means of not only maintaining
a sense of community, but perhaps more importantly as an important means
of economic development.
A representative sampling of four research reports commissioned
by disparate municipalities (provided below; includes studies from both
eastern states and western states), collectively highlighted the following
conclusions pertaining to the value historic preservation:
-
Historic
preservation is helpful in creating jobs;
-
Historic
preservation is a wealth multiplier for both municipalities and
property owners due to:
-
the
positive impact on property values (Texas study cities increases
ranging from 5 to 20%
-
increased
assessed taxable value
-
opportunity
for heritage tourism
-
Historic
preservation, in concert with government incentives, is an important
and cost-effective tool for economic development
-
Historic
preservation is an important means of neighborhood revitalization
These
reports clearly illustrate the wealth-creating and value-added effects
of historic preservation to homeowners and the community with measurable
data that is consistent across geographies. Historic preservation makes
good economic sense, for property owners, municipal governments and our
communities.
MVPA Objective: Implement an Ordinance that Works for Mountain View
To ensure future generations are able to enjoy the
neighborhood sense of community created through the built environment,
which currently adds so much to the character of our city, in particular
our downtown and historic neighborhoods, a logical next step for the
City of Mountain View and its residents is the adoption of an ordinance.
We have partnered with representatives from both the
National Trust of Historic Preservation, the California Preservation
Foundation and others with a body of experience, both in local
California communities and elsewhere, to help provide the City of
Mountain View, its residents, and property owners the information
necessary to educate themselves in order craft and implement an
ordinance that benefits all stakeholders in a positive manner, as have
so many previous communities before us.
The following links offer information and research
pertaining historic preservation practices, benefits, implementation, as
well as additional details on the MVPA's position:
Economic Impact of Historic Preservation Ordinances
Studies of Historic Preservation and Property
Values on the Web
Texas 1999
Historic Preservation Study.pdf
Historic
Preservation Economic Impact-Oregon 2002.pdf
Rutgers
Historic Preservation Economic Impact Study.pdf
Maryland 2002
Historic Preservation Study.pdf
MVPA Positions on the Ordinance
MVPA Draft Comments on the Mountain View Historic
Preservation Ordinance
(Microsoft
Word Document)
5
Reasons for an effective (not voluntary) Preservation Ordinance
